Bill
Bill > S2835
US S2835
US S2835A bill to amend the National Dam Safety Program Act to establish a program to provide grant assistance for the rehabilitation and repair of high hazard potential dams, and for other purposes.
summary
Introduced
04/21/2016
04/21/2016
In Committee
04/21/2016
04/21/2016
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017
01/03/2017
Introduced Session
114th Congress
Bill Summary
A bill to amend the National Dam Safety Program Act to establish a program to provide grant assistance for the rehabilitation and repair of high hazard potential dams, and for other purposes. This bill amends the National Dam Safety Program Act to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a program to provide technical, planning, design, and construction assistance grants to non-federal sponsors for rehabilitation of eligible high hazard potential dams. The bill defines an "eligible high hazard potential dam" as a non-federal dam that: is classified as high hazard potential by the dam safety agency of the state in which the dam is located; has an emergency action plan approved by such agency; and fails to meet minimum state dam safety standards and poses an unacceptable risk to the public. An eligible high hazard potential dam does not include a licensed hydroelectric dam or a dam built under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture. FEMA shall require a grant recipient to provide an assurance that the owner of the dam has developed and will carry out a plan for maintenance of the dam during its expected life. A grant must be approved by the relevant state dam safety agency. Grant funds shall be allocated to all states from which applications are submitted based on each state's relative number of eligible high hazard potential dams compared to all states. Grant funds may not be used to: rehabilitate a federal dam, perform routine operation or maintenance of a dam, modify a dam to produce hydroelectric power, increase water supply storage capacity, or make any other modification that does not also improve the safety of the dam.
AI Summary
This bill aims to improve dam safety by establishing a new grant program within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help non-federal entities, such as state and local governments or non-profit organizations, repair and rehabilitate dams that are classified as "high hazard potential." This classification means the dam is considered dangerous by the state where it's located, has an approved emergency action plan, and fails to meet state safety standards, posing a significant risk to the public. The bill specifically excludes licensed hydroelectric dams and those built by the Department of Agriculture from this program. To receive grants, dam owners must agree to a maintenance plan for the dam's lifespan, and any grant must be approved by the relevant state dam safety agency. Funds will be distributed to states based on their number of eligible high hazard potential dams, and grant money cannot be used for federal dams, routine maintenance, modifications for hydroelectric power, increasing water storage, or any changes that don't directly improve safety. The bill also authorizes $60 million annually for this program from fiscal years 2017 through 2027 and requires FEMA to issue proposed and final rules for this program within 90 and 150 days of enactment, respectively.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (7)
Jack Reed (D)*,
Shelley Moore Capito (R),
Kirsten Gillibrand (D),
Lindsey Graham (R),
Mazie Hirono (D),
Sheldon Whitehouse (D),
Roger Wicker (R),
Last Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2389-2390) (on 04/21/2016)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location | Created |
|---|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2835/all-info | 04/22/2016 |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s2835/BILLS-114s2835is.pdf | 07/07/2016 |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s2835/BILLS-114s2835is.pdf.pdf | 07/07/2016 |
| BillText | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-114s2835is/pdf/BILLS-114s2835is.pdf | 04/29/2016 |
| Bill | http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-114s2835is/pdf/BILLS-114s2835is.pdf.pdf | 04/29/2016 |
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